An overview of the health effects of bisphenol a from a one health perspective

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical compound, considered as an “emerging pollutant”, that appears ubiquitously, contaminating the environment and food. It is an endocrine disruptor, found in a multitude of consumer products, as it is a constituent of polycarbonate used in the manufacture of plastics and epoxy resins. Many studies have evaluated the effects of BPA, using a wide range of doses and animal models. In this work, we carried out a review of relevant research related to the effects of BPA on health, through studies performed at different doses, in different animal models, and in human monitoring studies. Numerous effects of BPA on health have been described; in different animal species, it has been reported that it interferes with fertility in both females and males and causes alterations in their offspring, as well as being associated with an increase in hormone-dependent pathologies. Similarly, exposure to BPA has been related to other diseases of great relevance in public health such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, or neurodevelopmental disorders. Its ubiquity and nonmonotonic behavior, triggering effects at exposure levels considered “safe”, make it especially relevant when both animal and human populations are constantly and inadvertently exposed to this compound. Its effects at low exposure levels make it essential to establish safe exposure levels, and research into the effects of BPA must continue and be focused from a “One Health” perspective to take into account all the factors that could intervene in the development of a disease in any exposed organism

Analysis of Indirect Biomarkers of Effect after Exposure to Low Doses of Bisphenol A in a Study of Successive Generations of Mice

Bisphenol A (BPA) is considered as being an emerging pollutant, to which both animal and human populations are continuously and inadvertently exposed. The identification of indirect biomarkers of effect could be a key factor in determining early adverse outcomes from exposure to low doses of BPA. Thus, this study on mice aims to evaluate and identify indirect biomarkers of effect through the analysis of their blood biochemistry, and of certain reproduction parameters after exposure to different BPA concentrations (0.5, 2, 4, 50, and 100 µg/kg BW/day) in drinking water over generations. Our results showed that there were no modifications in the reproductive parameters evaluated, like estrous cycle duration, litter size, or the percentage of the young alive at reaching the weaning stage, at the exposure levels evaluated. However, there were modifications in the biochemical parameters, e.g., alterations in the glucose levels, that increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the breeders at the higher exposure doses (50 and 100 µg/kg BW/day in F1; 50 µg/kg BW/day in F2 and 100 µg/kg BW/day in F3), that would suggest that the BPA could induce hyperglycemia and its complications in adult animals, probably due to some damage in the pancreas cells; albumin, that increased in the breeders exposed to the highest dose in F1 and F3, inferring possible hepatic alterations. Further, total proteins showed a diminution in their values in F1 and F2, except the group exposed to 100 µg/kg BW/day, whereas in F3 the values of this parameter increased with respect to the control group, this aspect likely being related to a possible hepatic and renal alteration. Based on these results, glucose, albumin, and total proteins could initially be considered as early indicators of indirect effect after prolonged exposure to low BPA doses over generations

Downregulation of protein tyrosine phosphatase PTPL1 alters cell cycle and upregulates invasion-related genes in prostate cancer cells

The final publication is available at link.springer.comPTPL1, a non-receptor type protein tyrosine phosphatase, has been involved in the regulation of apoptosis and invasiveness of various tumour cell types, but its role in prostate cancer remained to be investigated. We report here that downregulation of PTPL1 by small interfering RNA in PC3 cells decreases cell proliferation and concomitantly reduces the expression of cell cycle-related proteins such as cyclins E and B1, PCNA, PTTG1 and phospho-histone H3. PTPL1 downregulation also increases the invasion ability of PC3 cells through Matrigel coated membranes. cDNA array of PTPL1-silenced PC3 cells versus control cells showed an upregulation of invasion-related genes such as uPA, uPAR, tPA, PAI-1, integrin α6 and osteopontin. This increased expression was also confirmed in PTPL1-silenced DU145 prostate cancer cells by quantitative real time PCR and western blot. These findings suggest that PTPL1 is an important mediator of central cellular processes such as proliferation and invasion. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.This work was supported by Grants from the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain (FIS PI10/02026 and SAF2008-05046-C02-02), ISCIIIRETIC-RD06/0020-FEDER, Consejería de Salud (PI-2009-0589, AI-2010-003 to M.A.J.), and Consejería de Innovación, Ciencia y Empresa (CTS-6243), Junta de Andalucía (06/189, PI-2009-0589, and AI-2010-003 to M. A. J.). C. C. was supported by a pre-doctoral Grant from the Spanish Ministerio de Educación (F.P.I.: BES200612419) co-financiated by Fondo Social Europeo. C. S. was supported by a contract from Instituto de Salud Carlos III/FIS and Fundación Progreso y Salud, Consejería de Salud, Junta de Andalucía, Miguel Servet Program.Peer Reviewe

Single nucleotide polymorphisms as prognostic and predictive biomarkers in renal cell carcinoma.

Despite major advances in the knowledge of the molecular basis of renal cell carcinoma, prognosis is still defined using clinical and pathological parameters. Moreover, no valid predictive biomarkers exist to help us selecting the best treatment for each patient. With these premises, we aimed to analyse the expression and to determine the prognostic and predictive value of 64 key single nucleotide polymorphisms in 18 genes related with angiogenesis or metabolism of antiangiogenics in two cohorts of patients with localized and advanced renal cell cancer treated at our institution. The presence of the selected single nucleotide polymorphisms was correlated with clinical features, disease free survival, overall survival and response rate. In patients with localized renal cell cancer, 5 of these polymorphisms in 3 genes involved in angiogenesis predicted for worse disease free survival (VEGFR2: rs10013228; PDGFRA: rs2228230) or shorter overall survival (VEGFR2: rs10013228; VEGFR3: rs6877011, rs307826) (p < 0.05). Rs2071559 in VEGFR2 showed a protective effect (p = 0.01). In the advanced setting, 5 SNPs determined inferior overall survival (IL8: rs2227543, PRKAR1B: rs9800958, PDGFRB: rs2302273; p = 0.05) or worse response rate (VEGFA: rs699947, rs3025010 p ≤ 0.01)). Additionally 1 single nucleotide polymorphism in VEGFB predicted for better response rate rs594942 (p = 0.03). Genetic analysis of renal cell carcinoma patients might provide valuable prognostic/predictive information. A set of SNPs in genes critical to angiogenesis and metabolism of antiangiogenics drugs seem to determine post-surgical outcomes and treatment response in our series.Junta de Andalucía PI-0427-201

Evaluation of the Toxicity of Bisphenol A in Reproduction and Its Effect on Fertility and Embryonic Development in the Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical substance commonly used in the manufacture of plastic products. Its inhalation or ingestion from particles in suspension, water, and/or polluted foods can trigger toxic effects related to endocrine disruption, resulting in hormonal, reproduction, and immunological alterations in humans and animals. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an ideal experimental model frequently used in toxicity studies. In order to assess the toxic effects of BPA on reproduction and embryonic development in one generation after parental exposure to it, a total of 80 zebrafish, males and females, divided into four groups in duplicate (n = 20) were exposed to BPA concentrations of 500, 50, and 5 µg L−1, along with a control group. The fish were kept in reproduction aquariums for 21 days. The embryos obtained in the crosses were incubated in a BPA-free medium and observed for signs of embryotoxicity. A histopathological study (under optical and electron microscopes) was performed of adult fish gonads. The embryos of reproducers exposed to BPA were those most frequently presenting signs of embryotoxicity, such as mortality and cardiac and musculoskeletal malformations. In the histopathological studies of adult individuals, alterations were found in ovocyte maturation and in spermatazoid formation in the groups exposed to the chemical. Those alterations were directly related to BPA action, affecting fertility in both sexes, as well as the viability of their offspring, proportionally to the BPA levels to which they were exposed, so that our results provide more information by associating toxic effects on the offspring and on the next generation

The psychometric properties of the person-centered therapeutic relationship in physiotherapy scale

Objective: to determine the psychometric properties of the Person-Centered Therapeutic Relationship in Physiotherapy Scale (PCTR-PT) in order to find the most appropriate fit for the tool. Methods: patients who had received treatment at the physiotherapy service of nine hospitals in Spain were invited to complete the 31 items of the PCTR-PT scale. To select the most appropriate items of the PCTR-PT, an exploratory factorial analysis (EFA) was performed using the maximum likelihood and oblique rotation (promin) methods. Factor validity, goodness-of-fit and psychometric properties were analyzed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Convergent (CFA) and discriminant validity were calculated. Internal consistency was verified using the Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to examine temporal stability. Results: 366 patients over 18 years old who had received, at least, 15 physiotherapy treatment sessions completed the questionnaire. The results of the exploratory factor analysis revealed a tool with 15 items in four factors [Relational Bond (N items = 4); Individualized Partnership (N items = 4); Professional Empowerment (N items = 3) and Therapeutic Communication (N items = 4)], explaining 78.4% of the variance of the total variables of this tool. The confirmatory factor analysis further confirmed the four-structure model. Reliability of the tool was approved by Cronbach's alpha in all four dimensions, as all were above .70, ranging from .84 (Individualized Partnership) to .91 (Professional Empowerment). = 0.94. Test-retest was performed with two-week intervals, indicating an appropriate stability for the scale (ICC = 0.900). Conclusion: the Person-Centered Therapeutic Relationship in Physiotherapy Scale (PCTR-PT) is a useful, valid and applicable instrument to evaluate the person-centered therapeutic relationship during physiotherapy interventions. It would be interesting to investigate the predictive capacity (sensitivity and specificity) of the PCTR-PT scale

Development and implementation of a collaborative blog as a co-assessment instrument in Veterinary Medicine Degree

La evaluación educativa pretende comprometer al alumnado en su proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje mediante el uso de estrategias e instrumentos de coevaluación y autoevaluación. En este sentido, las tecnologías de la información y de la comunicación (TIC) promueven un clima de enseñanza más dinámico a través del aprendizaje activo, siendo los blogs colaborativos una herramienta muy útil de evaluación del alumnado. El objetivo de este proyecto ha sido evaluar la implementación de un blog como instrumento educativo para promover la autorregulación por medio de actividades de coevaluación y/o autoevaluación en el ámbito universitario. Se diseñó un blog de divulgación científica como recurso docente para la asignatura optativa de “el Animal de Laboratorio”, perteneciente al Grado de Veterinaria. Se evaluó mediante cuestionarios tanto la situación inicial del alumnado, como los logros finales respecto al objetivo planteado, siguiendo una metodología descriptiva. Según los resultados obtenidos, es innegable decir que el uso del blog ha sido una práctica innovadora, siendo en muchos casos la primera experiencia con TIC para el alumnado. Respecto a su implementación, los resultados han sido satisfactorios para la mejora motivacional, el aprendizaje y la dinamización metodológica. Todo ello, pone de manifiesto las múltiples ventajas que ofrecen los blogs como herramienta de coevaluación.The educational evaluation aims to engage students in their teaching-learning process through the use of strategies and instruments of co-assessment and self-assessment In this sense, information and communication technologies (ICT) promote a more dynamic teaching environment through active learning, and collaborative blogs appear as a very useful tool for student assessment. The aim of this project has been to evaluate the implementation of a blog as an educational instrument to promote self-regulation through co-evaluation and / or self-evaluation activities at the university. To this end, a scientific dissemination blog was designed as a teaching resource for the optional subject “the Laboratory Animal”, belonging to the Veterinary Science Degree syllabus. The starting point of the learning process of the students was evaluated by questionnaires, as well as the final achievements related to the proposed objective, following a descriptive methodology. According to the obtained results, it is undeniable that the development of the blog has been an innovative practice, being in many cases the first experience with ICT for students. Regarding its implementation, results suggest that students‟ motivation has improved, and the learning procedure and methodologies applied have been dynamized. All this shows the many advantages that blogs offer as a co-assessment tool

Sexuality, gender, religion and interculturality in Spanish television civilising and cultural news stories

Introducción. En esta investigación se analizan distintas noticias sobre sexualidad, género, religión e interculturalidad en televisiones españolas. Metodología. Se realiza un análisis del discurso de las distintas identidades enmarcadas en las mencionadas categorías. A continuación, en distintos grupos discusión se analizan las interpretaciones que hacen las audiencias de dichas noticias. Finalmente, a su vez, analizamos mediante el método Delphi la opinión de distintos expertos sobre estas mismas noticias. Resultados y Discusión. Gracias al análisis del discurso se desvelan las representaciones y los estereotipos mediáticos que las audiencias y expertos identifican fácilmente. Conclusiones. Hay que señalar que tanto las audiencias como los expertos fueron muy críticos con las piezas sometidas a su interpretación, y percibieron claramente las insuficiencias y los estereotipos utilizados. Sin embargo, sobre todo las audiencias de mayor edad, a la hora de abordar dichos temas en general suelen tener los mismos prejuicios que denuncian en los informativos.Introduction. This paper analyzes several Spanish TV news about sexuality, gender, religion and interculturality to explore how these news are interpreted by audiences and experts. Methodology. We have used three complementary methods. First, we have conducted a critical discourse analysis (CDA) of different sexual, religious and intercultural identities portrayed by the TV news. We have also analyzed how audiences interpret these news through focus groups. Finally, we have used a delphi method to analyze the interpretation of TV experts. Results and Discussion. The CDA illustrated common stereotypes identified by audiences and experts. Conclusions. Audiences and experts were very critical with TV news and perceived the limitations and stereotypes portrayed. However, older audiences used the same stereotypes demonstrated in the focus groups. In general, this study shows that when receivers interpret sensitive issues, they trend to accept or reject media discourses, letting little space for the negotiation of meanings

Clinical Benefit of Tamsulosin and the Hexanic Extract of Serenoa Repens, in Combination or as Monotherapy, in Patients with Moderate/Severe LUTS-BPH: A Subset Analysis of the QUALIPROST Study

To investigate whether tamsulosin (TAM) and the hexanic extract of Serenoa repens (HESr) are more effective in combination than as monotherapy in men with moderate-to-severe lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH). Subset analysis of data from a 6-month, multicenter observational study. Patients received either tamsulosin (0.4 mg/day) or HESr (320 mg/day) alone or in combination. Primary endpoints were change in symptoms and quality of life. Tolerability was also assessed. Seven hundred and nine patients were available for intention to treat (ITT) analysis, 263 treated with tamsulosin, 262 with HESr, and 184 with TAM + HESr. After 6 months, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) scores improved by a mean (standard deviation) of 7.2 (5.0) points in the TAM + HESr group compared to 5.7 (4.3) points with TAM alone and 5.4 (4.6) points with HESr (p < 0.001). Quality of life showed greatest improvement with combination therapy (p < 0.02). Adverse effects were reported by 1.9% of patients receiving HESr, 13.3% receiving TAM, and 12.0% receiving TAM + HESr (p < 0.001). In men with moderate/severe LUTS/BPH, combination treatment with TAM + HESr produced more effective symptom relief and greater improvement in quality of life than with either treatment alone, with acceptable tolerability

Twitter as an educational tool for autonomous and collaborative learning in the Veterinary Degree

Desde el punto de vista educativo, las redes sociales facilitan el intercambio de una gran cantidad de información especializada en tiempo real. Twitter permite el desarrollo de habilidades comunicativas y la capacidad de síntesis por su sencilla y directa forma de comunicación. Nuestro objetivo ha sido determinar el valor de Twitter como instrumento educativo de aprendizaje autónomo y colaborativo. Para ello, se creó una cuenta para la asignatura optativa “el Animal de Laboratorio”, perteneciente al Grado de Veterinaria. Se llevaron a cabo dos actividades; i) la gestión temporal de la cuenta por parte de distintos grupos de trabajo y, ii) el seguimiento e interacción con la cuenta desde los perfiles individuales de cada alumno. Se evaluó mediante cuestionarios tanto la situación inicial del alumnado, así como los logros finales conseguidos. Los resultados obtenidos destacan su funcionalidad como instrumento de aprendizaje autónomo. Además, nos muestran que es una metodología que fomenta el aprendizaje colaborativo, permitiendo interactuar, compartir conclusiones y establecer un reparto de tareas. Igualmente, su uso aumenta el interés y la motivación, al igual que promueve la participación del alumnado. En definitiva, se pone de manifiesto la idoneidad de Twitter como herramienta educativa en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje competencial actual.From an educational standpoint, the use of social networks facilitates the exchange of information, allowing access to a large amount of specialized information in real time. The social network Twitter is characterized by its user-friendly and straightforward way of social interaction. The main objective of this project has been to determine the value of Twitter as an educational tool for autonomous and collaborative learning. To that end, a Twitter account was made for the elective subject "Laboratory Animal", belonging to the Veterinary Degree. Two activities were carried out: i) temporary management of the account profile by different working groups, and ii) interaction with the account profile using students private accounts. The starting point of students, as well as the final achievements regarding the stated objective, were evaluated using questionnaires. It stands out the functionality of the tool as an autonomous learning instrument, as it allows students to be conscious of their learning process. It also came across as a methodology that encourages collaborative learning, as it promotes interaction, sharing conclusions and teamwork building. Finally, it increases interest and motivation, as well as participation. In conclusion, Twitter migh be a reliable tool to facilitate competency-based learning in superior education